The Memorial of Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified
Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified Attributes: Carmelite Nun’s habit
Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Feast Day, Beatification Date, Canonization DateMatrimony/Holy OrdersNuns/Sisters who became Saints
Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified brief life History |
|
| Date of Birth | 5 January 1846 |
|---|---|
| Country of Birth | Syria in Asia |
| Profession | Discalced Carmelite nun of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church |
| Place of Work | Mangalore in India, Bethlehem, Pau in France |
| Date of Death | 26 August 1878 (aged 31) |
| Place of Death | Bethlehem, Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem |
| Feast Day | 26 August |
| Beatification | By Pope John Paul II on 13 November 1983 at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City |
| Canonization | By Pope Francis on 17 May 2015 at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City |
| Patron Saint of | Attributes: Carmelite Nun’s habit |
Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified Short life History
Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified is also known as
• Al Qiddisa
• Maram Baouardy
• Maria di Gesu Crocifisso
• Mariam Baouardy
• Marie of Jesus Crucified
• Mary Baouardy
• Maryam Bawardi
• The Little Arab
Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified was born to Giries Baouardy and Mariam Shahine, a poor Greek Melchite Catholic family. Twelve of her thirteen brothers died in infancy, and Mary’s birth was an answered prayer to Our Lady. Her parents died when Mary was only two, and she was raised by a paternal uncle. Moved to Alexandria, Egypt at age eight.
Betrothed in an arranged marriage at age 13, she refused to go along with it, insisting on a religious life. As punishment for her disobedience, her uncle hired her out as a domestic servant, making sure she had the lowest and most menial of jobs.
A Muslim servant with whom she worked began to act as her friend with an eye to converting her from Christianity. On 8 September 1858, Mary convinced him she would never abandon her faith; in response he cut her throat and dumped her in an alley. Mary lived, an apparition of the Virgin Mary treated her wound, and she left her uncle’s house forever.
She supported herself as a domestic, working for a Christian family and praying. In 1860 she moved in with the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Supernatural events began to occur around her, and the Sisters would not let her join their house. She was taken to the Carmel at Pau by a Sister in 1867, and became a lay sister. Later that year she entered the cloister, taking the name Mary of Jesus Crucified, and making her final profession on 21 November 1871.
She continued to experience supernatural events. She fought off a demonic possession for 40 days, received the stigmata, was seen to levitate, had the gift of prophecy and knowledge of consciences, and permitted her guardian angel to speak through her. Helped found the missionary Carmel of Mangalore, India. Returned to France in 1872. Built a Carmelite monastery in Bethlehem in 1875. Supernatural gifts aside, she was known for her devotion to the Holy Spirit, even sending word to Pope Pius IX that the Spirit was not emphasized enough in seminaries.
Today’s Catholic Quote:
In April 1878 Mariam played an important role in the identification of the Biblical Emmaus thanks to a private revelation. She died on 26 August 1878 in Bethlehem, from a cancer which had developed in her bones as a result of the fall she had while working in the monastery, which led to gangrene that spread to her lungs
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